Three Australians competed in the competition: me, David Tabain and Natalie Turner.  Despite the jet-lag and nerves, each Aussie placed first in their event.

It was an exciting day with several athletes hitting Master of Sport, including Scott Tighe who is only the second male MS in biathlon (pictured above).  There were also quite a few Candidate for Master of Sport ranks given out, one of which was awarded to William Metcalf who underwent brain surgery only 15 weeks before the competition – and he was able to achieve this largely because his all-round fitness from kettlebell sport training prior to the operation made his recovery miraculously quick.

Ivan Denisov, absolute world record holder in all kettlebell sport events, was there to judge then showcased his incredible athletic prowess in the Pentathlon.  Watching Denisov lift is always mind boggling: not only is he precise and powerful, but he is so relaxed even under extreme duress that his eyelids get heavy and he looks like he might nod off at any moment.

You can see the full table of results from the competition here.

Here are some highlights from the competition:

The main difference…

The classic kettlebells increase in size as the weight increases. A 4kg bell is really small, while the 64kg kettlebell is a monster! The Pro Grade kettlebells are uniform in size with the shape of the bell and handle remaining the same.

This feature give the Pro Grade Kettlebells some advantages over the standard kettlebell;

• You don’t have to adjust your technique when moving back and forwards between heavier and lighter kettlebells.
• The ProGrade sizes are Internationally the same so you’re able to compare your performances with the best kettlebell users in the world.
• A slimmer handle reduces fatigue on long endurance sets
• Better ballistic properties gives you a mechanical advantage with exercises like the clean and snatch. The balancing of the Pro Grade works with you at all times

Something worth considering

Which kettlebell is for you? The simple answer is classic kettlebells are probably the best place to start if you’re new to kettlebell training. However, if you plan on using kettlebells regularly and knocking out some long sets, then you can’t go past the Pro Grade variety.

Beginner/new to kettlebells – go for the classic

Serious athlete and kettlebell enthusiast – choose the Pro Grades

What else can you tell me?

The classic kettlebell is made from cast iron with a powder coated finish. It’s a slightly cheaper kettlebell with a nice finish. Be warned that the powder coating can chip and scratch if the kettlebell gets knocked around. We believe this only adds to the character of the bell, but some people don’t like it.

The Pro Grade design is made from steel. It’s indestructible and will out live you and your family. Russians have been handing down their kettlebells to their children and grand children for many years. Put simply: you won’t break it or damage it.

The Pro Grades are the tool of choice for the sport of kettlebell lifting (Girevoy Sport). Some keen lifters like to smooth down the handle ensuring a pristine finish and minimising the chance of callouses. This step is not necessary for everyone, but if you want the absolute best kettlebell it’s something worth considering. Australian Girevoy sport champion, Paul Tucker, has put together a video on how to do it.

Note: The classic kettlebells can’t take this kind of treatment. If you want to optimise the handle you need to get a Pro Grade kettlebell.

A video

We took this video on the Steve Cotter Tour. Steve’s a big fan of our Pro Grade kettlebells and discusses their benefits in this short video.

Our Advice?

We recommend the Pro Grade kettlebells. They are better balanced and will last you a lifetime without getting chipped or damaged. Pro Grade kettlebells are slightly more expensive but this cost is offset by the performance of each kettlebell.

Classic design kettlebells are the perfect choice if you’re just starting out and don’t need the premium product. Ladies also seem to prefer the smaller sizes of the 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 kg bells.

At the end of the day you have to decide on what your kettlebell needs are and consider your budget. And please keep in mind the golden rule…

…any kettlebell training is better than no kettlebell training

Happy kettlebelling,

Australian Kettlebells.